Legislative Update

Posted by State Rep. Mike Sanders40sc on February 26, 2009

This week, I am happy to report that my colleagues have passed a number of pieces of legislation I authored.

The bill that I am most proud of is one that would make agricultural tracts of land that have been annexed into a city exempt from having to follow laws passed by that city. There is already an exemption of that kind in Oklahoma law but only for tracts of land annexed into a city on or before July 1, 2003. My bill takes into account the fact that there are tracts that were annexed before that 2003 date that should clearly enjoy the same exemption. This is a common-sense protection for landowners to ensure they do not lose the use of their property if the city arbitrarily annexes it.

My bill got quite a bit of debate as there are cities that feel threatened by it. But as there are a number of representatives from rural districts such as my own, I am happy to report to you that it passed 63-34 with support from most rural representatives, both Democrat and Republican.

Another of my bills would increase the amount county governments can reward an individual for providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone who has defaced county property. My bill gives the county the ability to reward an individual up to $1,000 and the authority to create a fund not to exceed $2,000 from which to draw the reward from. This bill was passed unanimously.

A bill I authored to support our American Legion Posts by giving them all tax-exempt status passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee unanimously. American Legion Posts have long served our communities and I thought it only right that they be given a tax exemption status, like so many other groups in Oklahoma enjoy.

Another of my bills that passed out of committee is very important to the state’s continuing efforts to maintain and repair our roads and bridges. It increases the amount of reimbursable funds for road projects from $200,000 to $400,000. This allows counties to get the work done and then request to be reimbursed.

I have mentioned before my fondness for former President Ronald Reagan. It is my pleasure to announce that I was able to co-author a resolution celebrating “Ronald Reagan Day” that was passed by the House. I was also very proud to introduce my son, born on Reagan’s birthday, and my beautiful wife, Nellie, to the Legislature.

The House has also passed a piece of pro-life legislation that would prohibit doctors from performing an abortion if they know the abortion is being requested because of the unborn child’s gender. To request an abortion for the purpose of gender selection is heinous and I am pleased to note that only four legislators voted against it.

Several energy bills were passed this week as well. One would create training for green jobs and another would give tax credits to individuals and businesses that installed geothermal heating and air units in their commercial or residential buildings.

One last area of legislation that I would like to touch upon is a bill that would protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits. This bill adds agritourism as one of the areas of agriculture under which farmers would gain some immunity from liability.

As you can see, it has been a very productive week at the Legislature.

As always, I would love to hear from you. I can be reached at the Capitol at (405) 557-7407.